Next Monday, May 2, is the last chance for our community to tell the State Corporation Commission (SCC) what we think about Dominion Virginia Power’s proposal to run high-voltage transmission lines through our Haymarket and Gainesville communities to proposed Amazon data centers. Already, hundreds have spoken, almost unanimously in support of unplugging Amazon’s extension cord. The one or two outliers who prefer high voltage lines in their neighborhoods, well, at least they are taking a stand.

In short: no one is neutral. Please, come add your voice to ours at 7 PM, at Haymarket’s Battlefield High School.

Next Monday also marks a special occasion, as one of the SCC commissioners was persuaded by a local Congresswoman to hear from the community in person. We must show the commissioner the depth and intensity of the opposition to Dominion’s proposal, as well as the breadth of the coalition we have assembled. At a time when division and discord seem to be the dominant themes on the political scene, this cause has united left, right and center, with property rights and pro-business advocates standing side by side with those defending health and habitat.

Come add your voice to ours.

Finally, we need the enthusiasm and eloquence of those who serve the public in a visible capacity. Our cause needs and deserves the best of spokespersons. We are not anti-technology or anti-power – we simply acknowledge there are better and worse ways to provide both, including where to place data centers and how to serve them. We also believe that the use of state power to seize and/or impair property for the benefit of a single, private customer while doubling down on last-generation electrical transmission technology is definitely closer to worse, if not worst.

Come add your voice to ours.

Monday, May 2, at 7PM is the time. Battlefield High School is the place. The Coalition, our supporters, community leaders, and media will be there as well – our press release goes out Sunday. I hope I can confirm to them you will be, too.